The marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) is a small mammal belonging to
the monotypic genus Vormela within the
MustelinaeMustelinae subfamily. Vormela
is from the German word Würmlein,[1] which means "little worm". The
term peregusna comes from perehuznya, which is Ukrainian for
polecat.[2] Marbled polecats are generally found in the drier areas
and grasslands of southeastern
EuropeEurope to western China. Like other
members of Mustelinae, it can emit a strong-smelling secretion from
anal sacs under the tail when threatened.

Contents

1 Description
2 Distribution
3 Behavior
4 Reproduction
5 Ecology

5.1 Habitat
5.2 Diet

6 Conservation status

6.1 Relation with humans

7 Subspecies
8 References
9 External links

Description[edit]

Paws, nose and ear, as illustrated in Pocock's The Fauna of British
India, including Ceylon and Burma - Mammalia Vol 2

Skull and baculum, as illustrated in Pocock's The Fauna of British
India, including Ceylon and Burma - Mammalia Vol 2

Ranging in length from 29–35 cm (head and body), the marbled
polecat has a short muzzle and very large, noticeable ears. The limbs
are short and claws are long and strong. While the tail is long, with
long hair, the overall pelage is short. Black and white mark the face,
with a black stripe across the eyes and white markings around the
mouth. Dorsally, the pelage is yellow and heavily mottled with
irregular reddish or brown spots. The tail is dark brown with a
yellowish band in the midregion. The ventral region and limbs are a
dark brown.[3] Females weigh from 295 to 600 g, and males can range
from 320 to 715 g.[4][5][6]
Distribution[edit]
The marbled polecat is found from southeast
EuropeEurope to
RussiaRussia and
China. Its range includes Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, Romania, Asia
Minor, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Iran, Afghanistan, north-western Pakistan, Yugoslavia, Mongolia,
China,
KazakhstanKazakhstan and north to the Altai Steppes in
Siberia.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] In 1998, a marbled
polecat was recorded on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.[17]
Behavior[edit]
Marbled polecats are most active during the morning and
evening.[18][19][20] Their eyesight is weak and they rely on a
well-developed sense of smell.[21] Vocalization is limited and
consists of shrill alarm cries, grunts and a submissive long
shriek.[22]
Marbled polecats are solitary and move extensively through their 0.5-
to 0.6-km2 home range. They generally only stay in a shelter once.
When they encounter each other, they are usually aggressive.[23]
When alarmed, a marbled polecat will raise up on its legs while
arching its back and curling its tail over the back, with the long
tail hair erect. It may also raise its head, bare its teeth, and give
shrill, short hisses.[24][25] If threatened, it can expel a
foul-smelling secretion from enlarged anal glands under the tail.[26]
To dig, such as when excavating dens, the marbled polecat digs out
earth with its forelegs while anchoring itself with its chin and hind
legs. It will use its teeth to pull out obstacles such as roots.[27]
Reproduction[edit]
Marbled polecats mate from March to early June.[28][29] Their mating
calls are most often heard as low rumbling sounds in a slow rhythm.
Gestation can be long and variable (243 days to
327 days).[30]
ParturitionParturition has been observed to occur from late
January to mid-March.[31][32]
Delayed implantation allows marbled
polecats to time the birth of their cubs for favorable conditions,
such as when prey is abundant.[33]
Litter sizes range from four to eight cubs.[34][35][36] Only females
care for the young. Cubs open their eyes at around 38–40 days old,
are weaned at 50–54 days and leave their mother (disperse) at
61–68 days old.[37]
Ecology[edit]
Habitat[edit]
Marbled polecats are found in open desert, semidesert, and semiarid
rocky areas in upland valleys and low hill ranges, steppe country and
arid subtropical scrub forest. They avoid mountainous
regions.[38][39][40] Marbled polecats have been sighted in cultivated
areas such as melon patches and vegetable fields.[41]
Burrows of large ground squirrels or similar rodents such as the great
gerbil (Rhombomys opinus) and Libyan jird are used by marbled polecats
for resting and breeding. They may also dig their own dens or live in
underground irrigation tunnels.[42][43] In the winter, marbled
polecats will line their dens with grass.[44]
Diet[edit]
Marbled polecats are known to eat ground squirrels, Libyan jirds
(Meriones libycus), Armenian hamsters (Cricetulus migratorius), voles,
mole rats (Spalax lecocon ehrenbergi), house mice (Mus musculus), and
other rodents, small hares, birds, lizards, fish, frogs, snails, and
insects (beetles and crickets), as well as fruit and
grass.[45][46][47][48][49] They are also recorded as taking small
domestic poultry such as chickens and pigeons, as well as stealing
smoked meat and cheese.[50][51][52]
Conservation status[edit]
In 2008, V. peregusna was classified as a vulnerable species in the
IUCN Red ListIUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30% in the
previous 10 years.[53] In 1996, it had been considered a species of
least concern. The decline in marbled polecat populations thought to
be due to habitat destruction (cultivation) and reduction in available
prey by use of rodenticides.[54][55][56]
In Pakistan, it is listed as an endangered species.[citation needed]
Relation with humans[edit]

Pelts of various marbled polecat subspecies.

The marbled polecat was once sought for its fur, generally known as
"fitch" or more specifically, "perwitsky" in the fur trade.[1][2]
In 1945,
KabulKabul shopkeepers were reported to have kept marbled polecats
to exterminate rodents. Their journals also show some developed an
adverse reaction to the strong smell they emit when threatened. Side
effects varied from fever to diarrhea.[57]
Other names for the marbled polecat include aladzhauzen (Turkmen),
berguznya (Kuban), chokha (Kalmuck), fessyah (stinky in Arabic),
abulfiss (Arabic), hu-yio (Chinese), myshovka (Terek Cossacks
dialect), pereguznya, pereguzka, or perevishchik (Ukrainian),
perevyazka (Russian), perewiaske (Polish), alaca sansar, alaca
kokarca, benekli kokarca (Turkish), suur-tyshkan (Kyrgyz), putois
marbré or putois de Pologne (French); Tigeriltis (German), mottled
polecat (English), sarmatier; Syrian marbled polecat, and tiger
polecat.[58] In some contexts it is called the tiger weasel.[3][4]
Subspecies[edit]
The subspecies of V. peregusna include: